Today we celebrate Clare of Montefalco: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Montefalco

1294 was a decisive year in Clare's spiritual life. During the celebration of the Epiphany, after making a general confession in front of all her fellow nuns, she fell into ecstasy and remained in that state for several weeks. Since she was unable even to eat during this period, the other nuns sustained Clare's life by feeding her sugar water. During this time, Clare reported having a vision in which she saw herself being judged in front of God. Clare also reported having a vision of Jesus dressed as a poor traveller. She described his countenance as being overwhelmed by the weight of the cross and his body as showing signs of fatigue. During the vision, Clare knelt in front of him, and whilst trying to stop him she asked, "My Lord, where art Thou going?" Jesus answered her: "I have looked all over the world for a strong place where to plant this Cross firmly, and I have not found any". After she reached for the cross, making known her desire to help him carry it, He said to her: "Clare, I have found a place for My cross here. I have finally found someone to whom I can trust Mine cross," and he implanted it in her heart. Clare took her belief in this vision seriously. The rest of her years were spent in pain and suffering, yet she continued to joyfully serve as abbess, teacher, mother and spiritual directress of her nuns.

FROM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/600_(number)#650s :

• 653 = prime number
• Sophie Germain prime,
• balanced prime,
• Chen prime,
• Eisenstein prime with no imaginary part

NETBIBLE ENTRY FOR INDEX #653:

• apostomatizo: (1) to recite from memory (1a) to repeat to a pupil (anything) for him to commit to memory (2) to ply with questions, to catechise, and so to entice to answers

Matching Bible verses:

• Luk 11:53: When he went out from there, the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to oppose him bitterly, and to ask him hostile questions about many things,

NOTABLE FACTS OF THE YEAR 653:

Byzantine Empire

• Emperor Constans II voluntarily surrenders Armenia to the Arabs, following a truce with Muawiyah, governor of Syria. Muawiyah grants the Armenians virtual autonomy, and appoints the nakharar Theodor Rshtuni as ruler of Armenia.
• Muawiyah leads a raid against Rhodes, taking the scattered pieces of the Colossus of Rhodes (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and shipping it back to Syria, where he destroys the bronze scrap to make coins.

Europe

• King Rodoald is murdered after a six-month reign, and is succeeded by Aripert I, who is elected as king of the Lombards. He spreads Catholicism over the Lombard realm and builds many new churches through the kingdom.
• Atto succeeds Theodelap as duke of Spoleto, in Central Italy (approximate date).

Britain

• King Penda of Mercia secures dominance over the area of Middle Anglia, where he establishes his son Peada as ruler.
• Peada marries Alchflaed, daughter of King Oswiu of Bernicia, and is baptised at Ad Murum (in the region of Hadrian's Wall) by bishop Finan.
• King Sigeberht I of Essex dies after a 36-year reign, and is succeeded by his relative Sigeberht II.
• Sigeberht II is persuaded by Oswiu to adopt Christianity, as part of a mobilization against Penda.

Asia

• Emperor Kōtoku sends an embassy to the court of the Tang Dynasty in China. Japanese ambassadors, priests and students sail for the capital Chang'an, but some of the ships are lost en route.
• Prince Tenji of Japan changes his residence to Asuka (Nara Prefecture), with other imperial family members and ministers. Only Emperor Kōtoku stays in the Naniwa Palace (approximate date).

Q DROP #653: https://qalerts.app/?q=%23653

u/#q653

See you tomorrow, Frens!🤓